Combination trunk and luggage carrier



Feb. 17, 1931. E, A, ARNDT 1,792,798

COMBINATION TRUNK -AND LUGGAGE CARRIER f/lAl/l/I/l/l/IlI//Illl/11111111115521017111 .l 7 2522 f6 Z6 Z7 l u attentat/4 Patented Feb.17, 1931 UNITI-:D SfrAres PA'IAENTY OFFICE ERNEST ARNDT, 0F SIOUX CITY,IOWA COMBINATION TnUNK AND LUGGAGE CARRIER Application filed February 6,1 9'29. Serial No. 337,873.

'The pril4 iary object of this invention is to provide a trunk ofthistype having a cover adapted to disclose the contentsof the trunk ywhile the swinging trunk member is in closed position. The need for thisfeature arises `from the fact that the downward yswinging of the movabletrunk member will ordinarily disarrange'the contents of the trunk wherea Ylarge number of small articles are packed within Vthe trunk. The useof this feature makes it vpossible to packthe contents of the trunk inIorderly arrangement and to retain this orderlyarrangement during theopening ofthe trunk to allow access to the upper layer of articles'.

A further object of my invention is to yprovide a trunk of this classincluding the cover feature, in which the subordinate functionsattendant upon the main feature of the l 4be provided Vfor latching" orlockingv the swinging trunk member to the fixed trunk member; Inv mypresent invention, this is ac- `cfomplished by providingone vof thelatching elements on the cover itself, the other latching element beingsecured to the fixed trunk ,'inember.` 'Fnrthermora where the movable`trunk member is formed'iii ltwo parts, ,as it ,must necessarily beformed whereV a portion of it is ahinged cover, va problem arises, thatvof bracing between the sides of the movable trunk member. A

` In my invention it ismy obj ect to Vsimplify the construction as muchas possible and in meeting this problem of bracing, Iobtain simplicityofconstruction without sacrificing strength by employing .the coveritself as a 4bracing member to connect the sides of the movable trunkmember. This eliminates the necessity of a brace between the sides ofthe movable trunk ymember. l

Another Objectis to provide a trunk which is as nearly moisture proof ascould be possible in a trunk. This problem, in view of the number lofmovable parts-involved, is a bigger problem than in the ordinary trunkand in the present invention I have solved this problem byarranging thecover to overlap the sides ofthe movable trunk member. ItA is impossibleto overlap both the fixed trunk member and the movable trunk member, assuch ,a construction would interfere with the opening of the cover.

The cover and fixed trunk member are provided, however, with coactingmembers,

adapted to be urged into engagement with each other, as the cover ismoved toward closed position, thus forming a tight connection betweenthe cover and the fixed trunk member.

In furtherance of my `object to provide a moisture tight trunk, it is mypurpose to include in the trunk `construction a hinge construction whichis particularly adapted to exclude the weather.

Viith these and other objects in view, my

invention consists inthe construction, ar-

rangement and combination of the various parts ofmy device, wherebytheobjects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth,pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of my combined trunk and luggage carrier infully closed position.

Fig. 2 shows the parts in partially opened f-" Fig. 9 is a detail,sectional View taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

The three main parts of the trunk are referred to generally' in thedrawings by the reference characters A, B, C and l), respectively. A isthe fixed trunk member, B the movable trunk member, C the cover whichforms a part of the movable member, and D is the hinge connecting thefixed and movable trunk members.

T he fixed trunk member is formed with the rear wall 10, the bottom wall11, the side walls 12 and the top wall 13, as in previous constructions.The movable trunk member B has the rear wall` 14, the side walls 15 andthe cover C, including the top wall 16 the side flanges 17 and the rearflange 13. (It may be noted that the words top and rear, when used torefer to the parts of a movable trunk member, correspond to thepositions of the respective parts when the trunk is closed. rl`his isdone to identifv the various parts with the use ot as few words aspossible.)

The rear wall 14 is provided with a shouldered flange 19, which isreceived within the flanges 17 and 18 of the cover C. rlhe cover restsagainst the shoulder of the flange 19, as indicated in Fig. 4.

The cover is hinged to the corner of the side walls 15, remote Jfrom thehinge D, connecting the fixed and movable trunk members. rFhe hinge isformed by a pair of rivets or the like 20, inserted through the flanges17 and 19 and constructed so to hold these flanges together. To thisend, the rivets should be formed with large heads or some equivalent ofsuch a construction should be employed so that the constant hinging ofthe flanges relative to each other may not work the rivets loose.

It may be noted at this point that the sides 15 are unconnected save bythe rear wall 14 and the cover 16. The latter serves to ronnect andbrace apart the corners to which it is hinged.

The hinge D is formed by mping and bending the edge of the bottom .z il11. Slots 21 are cut into the material of the walls adjacent the edgesand the material behind the ends of these slots and between the slots,rcspectively. is formed to provide aprons 22 and sleeves 23,respectively. The materird` forming the sleeves 23 is bent back againstthe rear face of the wall 11, as at 24. A hinge rod 25 extends throughthe sleeves 23 and through hooks 26, formed on the ends of the hingestraps 27, secured to the rear wall 14.

The hin straps 27 are of less width than the hinge sleeve 23 and arecorrespondingly much thicker than the metal of the sleeve 23. Thussubstantially equal strength is obtained in both of the hinge elements.

The aprons 22 are formed on the surface of a cylinder coaxial with thesleeves 23 but of larger diameter so a to accommodate the extrathickness of the hooks 2G. T he aprons 22 close the space between thehooks 2G and the rear wall 14. The rear wall 14 is extended beyond thehinge as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 sufficiently to cover from below thespaces formed within the aprons 22.

The cover is secured in a closed position by means of latch devices 2Sand 29, respectively, secured to the cover and to the rear wall 14,respectively.

The movable trunk menxber is secured to the fixed trunk member by meansof the latch devices shown in detail in Figs. 5 and (S. The cover isprovided with an uinvardly curved flange 30, which is preferably formedof a separate sheet of material welded or other wise permanently securedto the forward wall 1.0. The upper extremity of tht` flange Z3 is formedwith a channel 34, the rear part of which is substantially flat andextends downwardly and rearwardly upon an incline about shown in Figs. 5and G, as at When it is desired to release the latching connectionbetween the fixed and movable trunk members, the latch devices 29 and 28are first released, the cover raised to substantially the angle shown inFig. G and theu movable Atrunk member pulled outwardly as by means ofthe handle 36 or the tire if there is one in connection with the trunk.

The raising of the cover allows the flange 3() to move downwardly to aposition where it will clear the lower edge of the inclined wall 35 of'the channel 34 and when the flange 30 has been unhooked, the cover maythen be dropped to its former position and the elements 28 and 29relatched. rFhe entire member B may then be swung downwardly to theposition shown in Fig. 4, as in previous trunks corresponding to myreissue patent above mentioned. The flange 32 engages the forward edgeof the wall 13 very tightly under pressure created between the flange 30and the wall 35. It will be seen that as the cover is moved downwardlytoward closed position, the flanges 32 and 30. respectively, will bedrawn toward their rcspective engaging elements 13 and 35. The parts areso arranged that when the cover is fully closed, there will be somepressure built up between these respective engaging elements so as toproduce a very snug engagement between the cover and fixed trunk member.The object of this is to prevent rattling. A further object is to sealas closely as possible against the entrance of. moisture. Both jointscooperate toward this end, the channel 34 serving also to shed rain andprevent as largely as possible its entrance into the space between therear extremity of the cover and the flange 33.

The inclined wall 35 further serves the purpose of automatically pullingthe parts into snug engagement with each other as fil lob

Jihe cover ,is lowered. inspection of'Fig ,jvillshow that v when the.edge of the flange 3 0 is `first inserted behind the wall 35 -at its.lower ,extremity that there is considerable lroom for further movementof the movable vtrunk An uemloer toward the fixed trunk member. Asthecover is lowered, the action of the flange 30 againstthe inclined`wall 35 draws Vthe cover vsnugly into the position shown in Fig.5.Theqcover in turn moves the sides ofY themovable :trunk member intotheirl proper positions, the rivets 20 traveling forwardly and Vdownwardly as the cover is lowered.

' carrier, a fixed trunk member, a movable ytrunk member, hinged to thefixed trunk member, to form, when closed, rear and upper walls of thetrunk and when open, to form bottom Vand rear walls of va luggagecarrier, a cover, hinged to the movablev trunk member on an axis that isadjacent the Vupper forward portion of' the fixed trunk member whenthejfmovable trunk member is in closed position, the Cover serving, whenthe movable trunk member is in said last mentioned position, to allowaccess ,to thecontents of the trunk 'from .the top, Yand serving,

when the movable trunk member is in open position, to form a fixed partthereof, means to secure thel cover in closed relation to the movabletrunk member, and coacting latch devices secured tothe cover and fixedtrunk member, respectively, tosecure the movable trunk member Ein closedrelation tothe fixed trunk member. Y

2. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, amoya-bletrunk member,hinged to ithe fixed trunk member, to form,whenclosed', rear and upper walls of the trunk, and, when open, to formbottom and rear walls of a luggage carrier, a cover, hinged `tothemovable trunk member adjac'ent the upper forward 'portion of the fixedtrunk member `v vh'en 'fthe movable trunk member isin closed position,the cover 'serving,

when the movabletrunk member is in said .trunk member, respectively, tosecure the movable trank ,member in cleeedreletien ,t0

,serving as ,arear wallifor thefixed trunk member to an open extended.positionserving in conjunction withfthe,fixed'trunkmember as a luggagecarrier, a cover, hmgedto V the Lmovable trunk memberadjacent the upperforward Portion f'tihe fixed brun f mmber when themovable trunl; memberyis ,m vclosed position, the lcover serving, when the Arilevable trunkmaribel' Iis in Sad .lest me ,tioned position, to allow access to thecontents of thetrunkfrom thetop, and serving, when vthe movabletrunkmember is open position, to form a tfixed ,part thereof, means torsecurethe cover in closed rela-tionto .the movable trunk member, aninvertedchannel shaped latch member on the fixed trunk. member, and awecinefene@ projecting upward ly from the forward extremityof Vthecover, vadapted ,to be received in the channel when the cover is closed,to secure the movable Atrunk member in v closed relation .to the ,fixedtrunkmember. v`4,. In a combination trunk andluggage carrier, a fixedtrunk membera vmovable trunk member, carried by the fixed trunk memberandadaptedto move from a closed position serving as a rear wall `for-thelixedftrunk member toan open extended positionserving in conjunctionwith the'fixed ltrfun'klinember as va. luggagefcarrier, a cover, hingedto the .movable trunk member adjacent the upper forward portion of .the.fixed .trunlrlmember when the movable .trunk member is in closedposition, vtlncover serving, when thel movable trunk member is in saidvlast mentioned position, to allow access to the contents of the .trunkfrom thev top, and serving, 'when the movablevtrunk member is in openposition, Vto

form a fixed part thereof, means to Jsecure the cover inVclosedrelatifon tothemovable trunk member, `the ,fixed trnnlr member'including lan upper wal-l, an inverted' channel Vshaped latch memberon'the vfixed trunk member,tlie

rear edge of the4 latch member'being spaced .above sai'd'fuppl Wall, anda coacting flange Preithg upwardly from the forward tremity of 4thecover, adapted to be received in the channel when the cover closed,"to

secure the movable trunk member in closed relation to fthe fixed trunkmember, andto pass through `said spacefbetween the jlatch member and,upper wall, when fthe cover has been raised a predetermined distancefrom the movable trunk member.

5. In a ,combination trunk and luggage carrier, a trunk member, amovabletrunk were? @wird -Py 1th@ .fixed eeekeibe CIT and adapted tomove 'from a closed position serving as a rear wall for the fixed trunkmember to an open extended position serving in conjunction with thefixed trunk member as a luggage carrier, a cover, hinged to the movabletrunk member on an axis that is adjacent the upper forward portion ofthe fixed trunk member when the movable trunk member is in closedposition, the cover serving, when the movable trunk member is in saidlast mentioned position, to allow access to the contents of the trunkfrom the top, and serving, when the movable trunk member is in openposition, to form a xed part thereof, means to secure the cover inclosed relation to the movable trunk member, and coacting latch devicessecured to the cover and fixed trunk member, respectively, to secure themovable trunk member in closed relation to the fixed trunk member, saidlatch members being constructed so as to be disengaged by raising of thecover.

G. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, amovable trunk member, carried by the fixed trunk member and adapted tomove from a closed position serving as a rear wall for the fixed trunkmember to an open extended position serving in conjunction with thefixed trunk member as a luggage carrier, a cover, hinged to the movabletrunk member, the cover serving, when the movable trunk member is insaid last mentioned position, to allow access to the contents of thetrunk from the top, and serving, when the movable trunk member is inopen position, to form a fixed part thereof, means to secure the coverin closed relation to the movable trunk member, the fixed trunk memberincluding an upper wall extending rearwardly from the forward wall ofthe fixed trunk member and coacting latch members, to secure the movabletrunk member in closed relation to the fixed trunk member, the coverbeing adapted to snugly engage said upper wall when the parts are all inclosed position.

7. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, amovable trunk member, carried by the fixed trunk member and adapted tomove from a closed position serving as a rear wall for the fixed trunkmember to an open extended position servingin conjunction with the fixedtrunk member as a luggage carrier, a cover, hinged to the movable trunkmember, adjacent the upper 'forward portion of the fixed trunk memberwhen the movable trunk member is in closed position, the cover serving,when the movable trunk member is in said last mentioned position, toallow access to the contents of the truuk from the top, and serving,when the movable trunk member is in open position, to form a fixed partthereof, means to secure the cover in closed relation to the movabletrunk member, the fixed trunk member including an upper wall extendingrearwardly from the forward wall of the fixed trunk member and coactinglatch members, to secure the movable trunk member in closed relation tothe fixed trunk member, the cover being adapted to snugly engage saidupper wall when the parts are all in closed position, and the coactinglatch members being adapted, upon closing movement of the cover, to urgethe cover into said enga gement.

8. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, amovable trunlr member, hinged to the fixed trunk member, to swing from avertical, closed position, to a horizontal, open position, serving, inconjunction with the fixed trunl; member, as a luggage carrier, themovable trunk member including` side walls and a rear wall connectingsaid side walls, and a cover, hinged to the side walls at the corners ofthe latter remote from the hinge between the fixed and movable trunkmembers, said cover being adapted to close the space between the fixedtrunk member and the rear and side walls of the movable trunk memberwhen all parts are in closed position, and serving as the sole directconnection between the side wall corners to which it is hinged, therebysupport-ing the side walls in spaced relation.

9. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, amovable trunk member, carried by the fixed trunk member, and adapted tomove from a closed position to an extended open position, serving, inconjunction with the fixed trunk member, as a luggage carrier, themovable trunk member including side walls and a rear wall connectingsaid side walls, and a cover, comprising a top wall and a rear and sideflanges forming, when the cover is closed. continuations of the rear andside walls, rospectively, the side flanges being hinged to the sidewalls at their corners remote from the hinge between the fixed andmovable trunk members, said cover being adapted to close the spacebetween the fixed trunk memA ber and the rear and side walls of themovable trunk member when all parts are in closed position, and servingas the sole direct: connection between the side wall corners to which itis hinged, thereby supporting` the side walls in spaced relation. i

10. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, amovable trunk member, hinged to the fixed trunk member, to swing from avertical, closed position, to a horizontal, open position, serving, inconjunction with the fixed trunk member, as a luggage carrier, a cover,hinged to the movable trunk member. the cover serving` when the movabletrunk member is in said last mentioned position, to allow access to thecontents of the trunk from the top,

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and serving, when the movable trunk member is in open position, to forma xed part thereof, means to secure the cover in closed relation to themovable trunk member, andV coacting latch members secured to the coverand fixed trunk member, respectively, to secure the movable trunk memberin closed relation to the fixed trunk member.

11. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, amovable trunk member carried by the fixed trunk member and adapted tomove from a closed position in which it serves as a rear Wall for thefixed trunk member to an open, extended position in which it serves inconjunction with the fixed trunk member as a luggage carrier, themovable trunk member including side walls and a rear wall connectingsaid side walls and a cover hinged to the side walls at the upper,forward corners of the latter, said cover being adapted to close thespace between the fixed trunk member and the rear and side walls of themovable trunk member when all parts are in closed position and servingas the sole direct connection between the side walls' corners to- Whichit is hinged, thereby supporting the side Walls in spaced relation.

l2. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, amovable trunk member carried by the fixed trunk member and adapted tomove from a closed position in which it serves as a rear wall for thefixed trunk member to an open, extended position in which it serves inconjunction with the fixed trunk member as a luggage carrier, a cover,hinged to the movable trunk member, the cover serving, when the movabletrunk member is in said last mentioned position, to allow access to thecontents of the trunk from the top, and serving, when the. movable trunkmember is in open position, to form a fixed part thereof, means tosecure the cover in closed relation to the movable trunk member, andcoacting latch members secured to the cover and fixed trunk member,

member is in open position, to forma fixed part thereof, means to securethe cover in closed relation to the movable trunkmember, and coactinglatch devices secured to the cover and fixed trunk member, respectively,to secure the movable trunk member in closed relation to the fixed trunkmember, said latch devices being constructed to remain in engagementwhile allowing the cover to be raised a substantial portion of its pathof movement.

Signed this 25th day of January, 1929, in the county of Voodbury andState of Iowa.

ERNEST A. ARNDT.

respectively, to secure the movable trunk member in closed relation tothe fixed trunk member.

13. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, a`movable trunk member carried by the fixed trunk member and adapted tomove from a closed position in which it serves as a rear wall for thefixed trunk member to an open, extended position in which it serves inconjunction with the fixed trunk member as a luggage carrier, a cover,hinged to the movable trunk member adjacent the upper forward portion ofthe fixed trunk member when the movable trunk member is in closedposition, the cover serving, when the movable trunk member is insaidlast mentioned position, to allow access to the contents of the trunkfrom the top, and serving, when the movable trunk

